Park Jai-oong, 48, uses a laser to remove a tattoo from a patient at SeRoi Clean Tattoo, a clinic specializing in the practice, in Seocho-gu, southern Seoul. Courtesy of Park, Jai-oong

Guidelines for safe and effective tattoo removal

By You Soo-sun

Tattoos are becoming increasingly popular in Korea ― but conversely this also means more people are seeking to remove them. But this is not an easy task, as it may leave a permanent scarring if not done properly. Park Jai-oong, 48, a doctor at the SeRoi Clean Tattoo, a clinic that specializes in tattoo removal, explained the process and offered cautionary advice in an interview with The Korea Times.

Removing tattoos is becoming increasingly common and important in Korean society where taboos against them are still strong. Many come for personal reasons, such as to remove a symbol made for a past lover and replace it with a new one, or to get rid of it before getting married.

Other times people are forced to remove them for a job as many companies discriminate against job-seekers with tattoos. Some jobs in the public sector outright ban them.

In such a climate, tattoo removal will only grow in importance, said Park. Even now, he is fully booked for the next two months. Everyday 30 to 60 patients visit him, and many come with scars left behind by failed removal attempts. "You must not think that all doctors and hospitals will do the same job," Park said. "You need to go to a place that is proficient and you must take time to do research beforehand."

Park, who began his practice in 2002; and in 2008 opened a tattoo removal clinic in Hongdae, western Seoul. Last year, he opened a specialty clinic in Seocho-gu, southern Seoul.

Park is now confident with the practice, able to perform with both accuracy and proficiency. This, he noted, comes from years of experience combined with technological advancements.The technology behind tattoo removal

Without the right technique, attempts at removing a tattoo can easily leave scarring. This occurs because the laser ― the standard tool used ― emits heat to break up the ink participles making up the tattoo. The longer the exposure to the heat, the higher the likelihood it will cause damage to the skin. Many other factors also affect a successful clearance: the type of laser device used and the color, size, and location of the tattoo.

The device is the most crucial ― the proper laser can safely remove almost any tattoo, according to Park. The latest technology uses picosecond lasers, a major breakthrough.

Compared to the conventional Q-switched lasers, picosecond lasers are much more effective and safer, clearing the targeted area with more accuracy, speed, and in fewer treatment sessions. Its heat pulses are much faster, which means the patient is exposed to less heat ― leading to less pain and scarring ― while the treatment itself is much quicker. It is also more effective in removing tattoos with color and side-effects are mostly transient.

Park, who uses a PicoWay laser, the fastest type of the advanced model, explained not many hospitals and clinics have this as it is much more costly. Compared to about 50 places that have adopted this technology, more than 300 others still use the old model, he said.

Despite the technological advancement, Park warned it is still a long and costly process. "Typically, removal of one tattoo takes about 10 visits, although this varies widely. And the whole process on average takes one year, during which patients should always be mindful of what they eat and do until their bodies fully recover."

Park further advised people to leave open the possibility of a removal when they first get a tattoo, as almost half of people here seek to remove them later on. "Give more thought into it when you first decide to get a tattoo: Remember, our minds are fickle."